Why Nigeria Abandoned Its Old National Anthem 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee' in 1978

"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" is set to make a comeback and will be played and sung at all official events, marking a historic reversal of a decision made nearly five decades ago.

A new bill was set in motion to bring back the old national anthem; it got to the third reading quite fast. The supporters of the bill said the current national anthem lacks "rigour", and that the new national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee", will look to solve that.

Nigeria's old national anthem was called “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” and was used from Independence Day, October 1, 1960 until 1978.

The anthem's lyrics were written by British lyricist Lillian Jean Williams, who was domiciled in Nigeria during independence. Frances Berda handled the musical composition. The anthem lasted only 18 years before Nigeria stopped singing it and started singing "Arise, O Compatriots."

The anthem was abandoned due to its colonial roots and failure to resonate with Nigeria's diverse cultural identity. It had been composed entirely by British nationals, leaving Nigerians with little creative ownership over their own national song.

Nigeria needed a national anthem that reflected its cultural diversity and championed unity, particularly in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), which had left deep national wounds that a new, home-grown anthem could help heal.

Benedict Odiase, a former police officer from 1954 to 1992 who oversaw the music for both the Mid-West State Police Band and the Nigerian Police Band made the musical composition for the anthem.

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Five different writers wrote the lyrics. It was originally a poem that became the song, "Arise, O Compatriots," and Odiase was entrusted with setting it to music. The national contest's top five entries provided the lyrics for the anthem. P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, Dr. Sota Omoigui, and B.A. Ogunnaike were the winners.